'Over-emancipation of females hurting boys, men'
“Boys are starting to lag, due to too much affirmative action. So, we are going to do an investigation on this,” EOC commissioner in charge of compliance and enforcement James Mugisha said in response to the concerns.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) organised the training at its headquarters at Kingdom Kampala. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
NewVision Reporter
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Safia Nalule Jjuuko, the Chairperson Equal Opportunities Commission addresses participants during a capacity building training for urban council planners and gender focal persons on gender at the Equal Opportunities Commission head office in Kampala on December 18, 2024. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga) James Mugisha Commissioner Compliance and Enforcement Equal Opportunities Commission addresses participants during a capacity building training for urban council planners and gender focal persons on gender at the Equal Opportunities Commission head office in Kampala on December 18, 2024. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)
Over-emancipation of women and girls, through the Government’s affirmative action is causing increasing neglect of men and boy children, New Vision Online has heard.
“Men are being neglected; this is beyond normal. For instance, where I work in a department of eight people, I am the only man,” Sheema Municipal Council principal community development officer John Bright says.
Bright made the remarks during a capacity-building training for urban council planners and gender focal persons on gender and equity planning and budgeting on December 18, 2024.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) organised the training at its headquarters at Kingdom Kampala. It sought to address gaps in gender and equity planning and budgeting.
“Too much of anything is bad, as you did for women, let us also empower men,” Bright said.
His concerns were echoed by several of his male counterparts from other districts.
EOC to probe claims
“Boys are starting to lag, due to too much affirmative action. So, we are going to do an investigation on this,” EOC commissioner in charge of compliance and enforcement James Mugisha said in response to the concerns.
Margaret Ziwa, a planner from Kira municipal council, said there is a need for mindset change arguing that some of her colleagues do not understand the implication of gender and equity budgeting.
EOC chairperson Safia Nalule Juuko said the Commission has taken the initiative to develop gender and equity guidelines to enable planners to understand these issues.
She also challenged the planners to go to their districts and develop village maps.
“There is no way we will empower people the leaders we have at LC1 level can help us do this work,” she said, adding: “Go to the village, share with the chairperson and his team and they will develop a map".
Men becoming lazy
Wilson, a planner from Kasese municipality, said they have found out that in informal markets, women are the leading population in those markets. This, according to him, has given way to a rising tendency of laziness among men, which he says is now affecting their community.
Similar concerns were aired by Fort Portal city’s representative, who said the salary disparities between the arts and science teachers have created a rift and discontentment among the arts teachers.
The finance ministry was represented by Godfrey Kakala, a program officer at the ministry, who led one of the sessions, where he reminded the planners that Gender and equity planning is in the law, and can not be avoided at all costs.
“But you find someone prioritising politics and wants you to put something in your budgets which is not in the law,” he cautioned them.
Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) was represented by Betty Nawoova, a statistician who emphasized that new knowledge in gender and equity budgeting is not only a matter of compliance but a pathway to innovation and inclusivity.
The event was attended by over 70 district representatives from cities and municipal councils.
Moroto's senior planner Viola Mangat said most government ministries, departments and authorities are doing their activities in cities and districts while neglecting municipalities.
She said this by extension is also being done by international development partners which she believes tilts the scale against them.